Joint between channel members



R. HENDERSON JOINT BETWEEN CHANNEL MEMERS Dec. 1, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 20, 1949 Mint/(L .mw/@MM Dec. 1, 1953 R. HENDERSON JOINT BETWEEN CHANNEL MEMBERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 20, 1949 Dec. l, 1953 R. HENDERSON JOINT BETWEEN CHANNEL MEMBERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 F/GB.

Fild May 20, 1949 Dec. 1, 1953 Filed May 20, 1949 R. HENDERSON JOINT BETWEEN CHANNEL MEMBERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Dec. 1., 1.953 g UNITED STATE sflrATENT oFF 2,661,083 ICE JOINT BETWEEN CHANNEL MEMBERS Robert Henderson, Bovey Tracey, South Devon,

England, assignor to Robert Building Inventions Limited, London, England, a British com- Dany Application May 20, 1949, Serial N o. 94,411

Claims priority, application Great Britain May 31, 1948 13 Claims. (Cl. 18S-36) This invention relates to improvements in or relating to means for forming joints between I channel members.

According to the vpresent invention means for forming joints between channel members coniprise a tongue member passing through a pair ,of slots in a channel member, one in each flange thereof, and within'the channel member a U- section keeper with its limbs directed towards the web lof the channel member, each limb of v,the keeper bearing against one flange of the ,said channel member or a reinforcement thereof and being slotted to engage in a correspondingly slotted part of the tongue member to lock the same in position, one end of the tongue member protruding through the ange of the channel member and being adapted to be received in a slotted block in the end of another channel member butting against the said ilange, and the other end of the tongue member either protruding in like manner or not as desired.

Preferably theslots in the flanges are of the same key-hole shape and the tongue member is of a corresponding profile over a length equal to the spacings of thev outer faces of the flanges.v

According to a modification of the invention the afore-mentioned tongue member passes through a slot in a second tongue member to secure the latter within the first-mentioned channel member, the second tongue member having at least one end which protrudes through a slot in the web of the channel member or from the end of the channel member or fromV the open-side of the channel member through a slot inthe keeper and is adapted to be received in a slotted block in the end of a second channel member, yand v wherein each end of the first-mentioned tongue member may protrude or not as desired.

Preferably the slots in the flanges and webof the channel memberareV all of the Ysame keyhole shape and a partl of the second tongue mem- Y ber isVformed-as a rectangular block, oney side face of Vwhich bears against the inner face of the A web and the `otherthree side faces of whichgare embraced by the keeper, whilst the first-mentioned tongue member passes through a key-hole slot in the said rectangular block of the same lshape Ias and in alignment with the key-hole slots in theflanges. member having a profile corresponding to that ,of Ythe key-hole slots overa length equal to the spac- The said irst-mentioned tongue ingofA the outer faces of the flanges. o Y AWhen the second tongue member has `an end j.protruding throughr the key-hole slot in the web of the channel member, that part of the second ,o

tongueV which lies withinthe said slot has a proor inaddition have an end protruding from the in the keeper of the same shape as the aforementioned key-hole slots. That part of the sec- Vond tongue member which lies within the keybers are received are of the kind described in the said specification.

In order to retain the tongue member in the corresponding slotted block, the tongue member may be provided with a transverse hole adapted to receive a tapered pin driven through holes in the slotted block and the channel member containing the slotted block. Preferably the hole in the tongue member is off-set slightly towards the joint from the above-mentioned holes in the block and channel member, so that on driving in the pin the chanel members are butted tightly together.

In order to retain the tongue member in position until the pin has been driven in, it may be provided with a cranked nose engaging a recess or hole in the block. Each limb of the keeper may be slotted or cut-away to form two substantially straight fingers which are a push iit in corresponding slots in opposite sides of the tongue member. Alternatively each limb of the keeper ma;r be slotted or cut-away to form two fingers which pass through corresponding slots in the Vopposite sides of the tongue member, one finger being hooked to engage over the tongue member and the other finger is curved to permit its withdrawal.

The limbs of the keeper are preferably spaced tort between the flat reinforcing ribs on the inner faces of the ilanges of the channel member, whilst the base of the keeper is enlarged to fit between the unreinforced part of the flanges adjacent the open side of the channel.

l It will be seen that there are five possible positions in which additional channel members may be joined to the rst-mentioned channel member, namely to the two flanges, the web and the open side of the Vfirst-mentioned channel member, and in prolongation of the first-mentioned -Which would protrude in an unrequired position will be sawn 01T or omitted.

The invention may be applied with advantage in building construction for joining together lattice girders having as longitudinals the channel members describedv in specification No. 94,412,

led May 20, 1949, now abandoned. f

'sides `'of' the block I5. The rkeeper .I0 is .driven AuntilV the baseof the keeper butts against the corresponding face ofthe block |5, the enlargevment-|3 at the sides-of the base of the keeper bearing against the un-reinforced portions of the fiangesof the channel Vmember 25. In this way a completely rigid construction is obtained.

As shown inthe drawings, the single end of the tongue member. I4 is received in the slotted .block 20 which is slideably engaged within the horizontal channel member I. The hole 23 in the top. face of the block 20 is so spaced from the end thereof that it receives the boss I 'I of the single-ended tongue member I4. The hole |.8 through the single-ended tongue member I4 and thev holev 24 through the side faces of the .block 20 are so arranged in these parts that the hole I8 is offset from the hole 24 towards the channel member 25 when the block 20 butts Vagainst the web of the channel member I; The ,hole 4*(se`e Fig. 1) in the channel lmember I is ,so ydisposed as to be in alignment with the hole A.2.4 inthe block 20. driven'through the holesA 4, 24, I8 and urges the AY tapered pin 29 is then block `2|) andchannel member I tightly against vtheweb of the channel member 25.

Further horizontal channel members may be secured in precisely the same manner to either ,or bothvthe projecting ends of the vtongue member 5. When it is not desired to attach either or -both ofA these additional horizontal channel members, the corresponding end or ends of the tongue .member may be sawn off or omitted.

.When it is desired to secure horizontal channel .membersto one or both iianges of the channel `member 25, butnot to the-web of the channel rmember 25,- the tongue member I 4 may be omittedWhOIly. Even when the tongue member Mis. omitted wholly, the tongue member 5 '.is'heldrigidly by the engagement of the fingers I2 of the keeper IU -in the slots 9 (Fig. 2) of the .tongue member, and by the lit of thejenlargement 6 (Fig. 2) in the key-hole slots of the flange of the channel member 25.

Referring now to Figs. 12 and 13, a double L ended tongue member is shown as a modification-of the single-'ended tongue member shown inFig. 6. It will be seen that the central block .|I5and all the parts |I4, ||6 and II'I to the left-hand sideof Figs. 12 and 13 are identical the keeper shown in Figs. 4 and 5, having the same overall dimensions. 'Ihe limbs |2'I of the keeper |26 are slotted to form a hooked upper finger |28 and a curved lower iinger |29. The

keeper hasside enlargements |30 and a key-'hole slot I3I formedinthe base. The double-ended tongue member just described and the keeper |25, may be substituted f'fo'r' the single-ended tonguemember I4 vandthe ykeeper I0 in the joint shown in Figs. 10 and 1l of the drawings.#The` joint is assembled as beforegtlie` hooked ngersv|28 engaging over the .JQIIEIJG member 5, andv thefend portion II4' of the double ended tongue member Vprotruding from the open side of the upright channel member 25 through the key-hole slot I 3| in the keeper |26. A further horizontal channel member may be then joined onto the end portion I I 4 of the additional tongue member, in the same way as already described with reference to the horizontal channel member I.

In the construction shown in Figs. 10 and l1 the modified keeper |26 may be substituted for the keeper I0 without any other change in the parts shown in Figs. 10 and l1, and if desired the key-hole slot |3I (Figs. 15 and 16) in the base of the keeper |26 may then be omitted.

Figs. 1'7 and 18 show a modified form of singleended tongue member |32 in which the single end projects upwards from a block |33, which is of the same dimensions as the block I5 of Fig. 6, and is provided with a key-hole slot |34 like tothe key-hole slot I9 of Fig. 6. The single end of the tongue member |32 is provided with a cranked nose or boss |35 and a hole |36 as before. Y

In a modification of the construction shown in Figs. 10 and l1, the horizontal channel member is omitted, the upright channel member 25 terminates slightly above the level of the keeper I0, and the tongue member I4 is replaced by the modified tongue member |32. A second upright channel member may then be joined by means of the additional tongue member |32 to the end of the upright channel member 25 in prolongation thereof. The upstanding end portion of the additional tongue member I 32 engaging in a block in the further channel member, in the same way as the end portion of the additional tongue member I4 is shown in Figs. l0 and 11 as engaging in a block 20 in the horizontal channel member I. y

What I claim is: f

l. A vcoupling comprising a first channel member having opposite side flanges, a back web and an open opposite side, said side flanges having aligned openings therein, a second channel member, a tongue member extending through said openings, said tongue member. having recesses .therein disposed .between said side flanges, a

keeper having a basek fitting between the side flanges and legs thereon extending toward said back web, engaging the recesses in said tongue member and retaining it against endwise movement, an extensionV having an angularly related projection thereon mounted on said tongue member and projecting therefrom to the outside of said rst channel member, aslotted block in said second channel member receiving said extension and projection, and means securing the slotted block to said second channel member and to said extension.

2. The coupling set forth in claim l wherein the means securing the slotted block to the second channel member land the extension comprises apertures through said extension, said second channel member and'said slotted block, vand amember extending'through said apertures and -securing said extension, said second channel member and said slotted block together.

- 3. The coupling fset 'forth in claim 1 in which the Lweb of said firstl channel member has an opening .therethrough and the extension projects Aat right angles to the tongue member through the last-,mentioned openingz- .1714. Th'e coupling setfforthlin claim 1 in which said extension has an end. portion` provided with anv` aperture through .which said -tongue member extends.

5. A coupling comprising a rlrst channel member having opposite side flanges, a back web and `an open opposite side, said side flanges having aligned openings therein, a second channel member, a tongue member extending through said aligned openings and having notches therein between said side flanges, a keeper having a U- shaped cross section and having spaced apart legs, said keeper being mounted within said rst channel member with each leg bearing against a flange of said first channel member and directed toward the web of said first channel member, each of said legs being bifurcated and engaging in said notches in said tongue member, another member in said first channel member having an opening receiving said tongue member and a projecting porti-on, a slotted block in said second channel member engaging said projecting portion, and means securing the slotted block to said second channel member and said projecting portion.

6. A coupling comprising a rst channel member having opposite side flanges, a back web and an. open oposite side, said side flanges having aligned openings therein,` a tongue member extending through said openings, said tongue member having a nrst portion extending between and through said side ilanges, another portion projecting outwardly beyond one of said side ilanges and a projection on said another portion extending at an angle thereto, said first portion ci said tongue member having recesses therein disposed between said side flanges, a keeper having a base tting between said side flanges and legs thereon extending toward said back web, engaging in said recesses and retaining said tongue member against endwise movement, a second channel member, a slotted block in said second channel member receiwing said another portion and said projection thereon and being retained thereby against movement endwise of said another portion, and means securing said slotted block tor said second. channel member and to said tongue member.

7. In a structural unit, the sub-combination oi' an extruded. metal channel memberhaving flat ribs formed on the. three inner faces of the.

channel membery and integral therewith, and a coupling block: slideably engaged' within said channel member, the side faces of said coupling block having grooves therein mating withl any of the ribs or said channel member.

8. In a structural unit, the sub-combination of an extruded metal channel member having flat ribs formed on the three inner faces of the channel member and integral therewith, and a coupling block slideably engaged within said channel member, the side faces of said coupling block having grooves therein mating with any of the ribs of said channel member, one side face of said coupling block being slotted lengthwise from end to end.

9. In a structural unit, thek sub-combination of an extruded metal channel member having flat ribs formed onv the three inner faces of the chantnel member and integral therewith', av coupling block slideably engaged within said channel member, the side faces of said coupling block having grooves therein mating with any of said ribs, a slot extending through one side face of said block from end to end of ksaid block, and a bore entering said slot through the side face of said block opposite said rst-mentioned side face.

1.0.'. In a structural unit, the sub-combination of an extruded metal channel member having at ribs formed on the three inner faces of the channel member and integral therewith, a coupling block having grooves therein mating' with said ribs and slideably engaged within said channel member with the end of said block flush with the end of said channel member, a slot extending through one side face of said block from endy to end, anda bore passing through said channel member and said block at right angles to the plane ofsaid slot.

l1. In a structural unit, the sub-combination of a metal channel member having a web and a pair of flanges at the edges of said. web, flat topped longitudinally extending ribs formed integrally with said web andf anges and having pairs of symmetrically disposed longitudinal` slots, one in each flange, spaced along the length oi the channel member, each said slot entering the interior of the channel member through one of the said ribs; anda coupling block slideably engaged within the said' channel member, said block being substantially` square in cross-section and having in each of its four sides longitudinal grooves symmetrically arranged andl like in all respects, said block also having a slot extending through one of said four sides from end to end thereof.

l2. In a structural unit, the sub-combination of a metal. channel member having a web and a pair of side flanges, hat ribs formed integrally with, and extending longitudinally of, the inner faces of said web and flanges and having a plurality of sets of three longitudinally extending slotted apertures regularlyV spaced along the length of the channelmember, the apertures in each set being arranged symmetrically with each other one in each of the said longitudinal ribs; and a metal coupling block slideably engaged within the said channel member, said block being substantially square in cross-section and having, mating with the said longitudinal ribs, longitudinal grooves in its four sides symmetrically arranged and like in all respects, said block also having one sid'e slotted lengthwise from end to end.

13. In a structural unit, the sub-combination of an. extruded metal channel member having a web and two` iianges in perpendicular relation to said web, the three inner faces of said web and flanges having lat` longitudinal ribs, and aperturesspaced along the length of said ribs; and a coupling block of substantially square crosssection slideably engaged within the said channel member, the said coupling block having a longitudinal groove in each of its four side faces mating with any of said longitudinal ribs, said block also having a slot extending` through one side' face from end` to end, and a bore entering the said slot through the side face opposite the saidrv slotted side face.

ROBERT HENDERSON.

References Cited in the le 0f thisv patent) UNITED STATES PA'IENTS Number Name Date 922,919 Lawrence May 25, 1909 1,021,185 Foster Mar. 26, 1912 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 705,640 Germany i.--. May 5, 1941 

